Redemption?
It is easy to regard the idea of ‘redemption’ as Christ’s gift of salvation. And only that.
But as you journey with the Tribal Family you will notice us using the idea of ‘redemption' liberally. We apply it to everything. And nurturing our children to be ‘redeemers’ in their world underlies our goals as parents.
The reason: Redemption of all things is at the root of who the People of God are. It is their story from beginning to end.
‘Redemption’ is the telling mark of being God’s People.
In the beginning, Genesis tells us God’s original plan for humankind. We were to be God’s ambassadors among creation: His stewards in His created world. (Gen 1:26-28; 2:15)
In short: God created us to be co-creators with Him.
Then sin came into the picture. Thereafter, humans continued to be stewards. But we stewarded our world toward our own gratification, guided by our fears.
Our ability to create, to this day, remains authoritative and god-like. But what humans create often tends toward chaos, division, and death – rather than beauty, unity, and life.
The world was in need of redemption, because we were in need of redemption.
Viewed in this context, the Bible's story is this: God is redeeming a people, so they can be co-redeemers with Him. (1 John 4:19)
Genesis set up the redemption plot at the beginning of the Bible. At the end of the Bible, the book of Revelation re-affirms Jesus' redemptive work is for the purpose of reinstating us as His stewards among His creation:
You redeemed people for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth.
– Revelation 5:9b-10
Later in Revelation, God’s priest-people are compared to tasty fruit, refreshing shade, and are said to offer healing to the nations. (Rev 22:1-5, and Ps 1:1-3 for context)
That picture illustrates God’s People experienced as the fully redeemed People of God: a people who bring redemption to everything around them.
Years ago, when we wanted to simplify Scripture’s story for our children, we started talking about this redemption story-line of God's People.
Clearly, ‘redemption’ is not an easy concept to explain to your children. Our solution was to define it for them as follows: 'Redemption' is to make something new again, or to make it good again. We would then practice 'redeeming' – with each other and around our home.
As we practiced redemption it helped our children understand God's making them new again. We explained, as He renews His original design of them they are empowered and enabled to renew their world in ways totally unique to them. As such, they become a gift to each of us, and to the world.